2. News Room

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DWD, Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport Celebrate Graduation of Nine Local
Project SEARCH Interns

Project SEARCH program prepares young adults with disabilities for rewarding careers

MILWAUKEE – Betsaida Perez will celebrate two graduations this spring – one from Reagan High School, and the other from the Mitchell International Airport Project SEARCH program. Betsaida, a reliable and goal-oriented student according to her Project SEARCH instructors, has excelled in the program, working at the airport's Starbucks coffee shop, Summerfest store, and Paradies Lagardère warehouse.

"I enjoyed all the tours and working different rotations because I met so many new people and made new friends," she said. "I learned how they get the luggage inside the airplane and how hard they work, so everything can be safe for passengers."

With the help of Project SEARCH, Betsaida is ready to start her career and is currently working with DWD's Division of Vocational Rehabilitation to find a job in the community.

"The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development celebrates over 180 Project SEARCH graduates throughout the state who have explored new skills, expanded their opportunities, and earned a sense of pride through rewarding work," said DWD Secretary-designee Amy Pechacek. "In Wisconsin, some 171,000 people with disabilities are not attached to the labor market, yet we know many want to work. With our record-low unemployment rate, supporting these individuals in achieving their employment potential has never been more important."

The graduation ceremony at Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport this week marked the completion of an immersive work experience. The nine interns recounted their hands-on experiences and talked about their future career opportunities.

In addition to the host site, the local internship experience was made possible by partners including Paradies Lagardère and HMS Host, Goodwill Industries of Southeastern Wisconsin, Milwaukee County, and Milwaukee Public Schools. Statewide, 25 premier employers are participating in Project SEARCH this year.

Project SEARCH is a collaborative effort among DWD, state vocational rehabilitation agencies, area schools, local employers, and long-term care organizations to help interns acquire marketable, competitive, and transferable skills that lead to employment. The interns complete multiple 10-week rotations to maximize exposure to different career paths, learning employability skills in a classroom and hands-on job skills within the business environment.

Started at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center in 1996, Project SEARCH has provided workforce training to nearly 1,500 Wisconsinites since its statewide launch in 2008. For more information, visit the Project SEARCH Wisconsin website.

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Wisconsin's Department of Workforce Development efficiently delivers effective and inclusive services to meet Wisconsin's diverse workforce needs now and for the future. The department advocates for and invests in the protection and economic advancement of all Wisconsin workers, employers, and job seekers through six divisions – Employment and Training, Vocational Rehabilitation, Unemployment Insurance, Equal Rights, Worker's Compensation, and Administrative Services. To keep up with DWD announcements and information, sign up for news releases and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X, and YouTube.